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PH To Face Blackout,August …As Afam Power Plant Shuts Down

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Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs will experience a major blackout that would last for one month, beginning from August 1, 2011.

The new business Manager, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Diobu Business Unit, Engr Festus A. Nmegbu, who dropped this hint yesterday in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the interruption in electricity supply would be as a result of a reconstruction job on PHCN’s 132 KV Line from Afam to Port Harcourt.

“This is to enable contractors handling the reconstruction of the line  to conclude their job. On conclusion, power export to Rivers State from Afam is expected to improve”, Engr Nmegbu explained.

According to the Business Manager, the interruption, which would affect all classes of the company’s customers, will last from 8am till 6pm daily.

He said only the areas covered by Rivers State Power Station, Omoku and Ahoada, which are fed from Owerri 132 KV line would have their normal supply.

Engr Nmegbu, who appealed to numerous customers of PHCN to bear with it while the job lasts, stressed that the reconstruction was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve on the existing power supply in the country.

Diobu Business Unit, he further disclosed, intends to hold a meeting next week with customers to properly discuss the development to enable them adjust while the interruption period lasts.

Meanwhile,  some electricity consumers in Lagos have threatened to sue the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for approving an increase in tariff without resolving the nation’s epileptic power supply.

The consumers told newsmen yesterday in separate interviews that it was inconceivable for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to increase electricity tariff when the citizens were battling the effects of power outages.

Alhaji Salami Badru, Chairman, Bariga Community Development Area, warned that if NERC failed to reverse the tariff increase, the association would not have any choice than to seek legal redress.

Badru said the PHCN should provide adequate electricity supply before increasing tariff.

“We are tired of the whole billing system of PHCN; despite inadequate electricity supply, they still enforce increase in tariff”.

“We will not hesitate to take legal action against PHCN and NERC over arbitrary charges of various forms included in the electricity payment on pre-paid metres payment vouchers,’’ he said.

Mr Jola Ogunlusi, Chairman, Festac Town Residents Association (FTRA), criticised the tariff increase, saying it was wrong for NERC to have endorsed the hike.

Ogunlusi said that the government should have addressed the national electricity supply problem and other ancillary issues such as estimated billing and non-availability of prepaid metres before increasing the tariff.

“While we appreciate the current reforms in the power sector by NERC, we are really concerned about the increase in electricity tariff. Consumers cannot just continue to pay for what they don’t consume”.

“Power should be made available first before NERC thinks of tariff increase. We are concerned about this issue because any increase in tariff should be matched with increased power supply,’’ he said.

Another consumer, Mr Andrew Johnson, Managing Director, Ocean Sea Pure Water in Ikorodu, urged the government to critically evaluate the new electricity tariff in the face of economic constraints.

Johnson said that his factory depended on generator for production though it pays about N2,400 monthly as metre maintenance charges outside the usual electricity consumption bill.

He said a critical study of current PHCN billing system would show the level of “illegality within the national electricity company”.

“Government should see reason to respond to the yearnings of the people and urgently address those abnormalities in the bill for justice to prevail; customers should not be left to suffer.”

In her contribution, Mrs Abimbola Talabi, a banker, said the tariff increase was a mockery of the Federal Government’s avowed commitment to the welfare of the citizenry, stressing that the new tariff was another effort to compound the woes of the masses.

“How can they increase tariff at this point in time when there is no electricity? We are still in darkness and they want to make us pay more. It is really a shame. If their argument is that it is part of reforming the power sector, then they should have first made the power available before asking the people to pay more,” she said.

Our correspondent  recalls that PHCN had from July 1, 2011 increased electricity tariff to N10 per kilowatt from N5.90, while the tariff for commercial concerns rose from N11.20 to N22 per kilowatt under the Multi-Year Tariff Order Act of 2008.

Chris Oluoh

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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